Radiant and convective heat resistant materials and emergency fire shelter made therefrom

ABSTRACT

The invention is a new heat and fire resistant material and an improved wildland fire shelter and kit. The material is made of a woven silica-based cloth layered in several possible combinations with foil and fiberglass cloth layers. The layers can be arranged in a variety of sequences to minimize the thermal radiation to the inside of the material or shelter. However, a foil layer must always be the outermost layer to provide protection from radiant heat and a layer of foil must be present between the interior of the shelter or material and any layer of adhesive to limit accumulation of gases inside the shelter if the adhesive or other substance should break down when exposed to heat. The silica cloth, aluminum foil, and fiberglass cloth may be laminated or sewn together. The shape of the fire shelter is a half cylinder with ¼ sphere at each end. The shelter is contained in an easy-open polyvinyl bag which provides for quick removal and deployment of the fire shelter.

STATEMENT OF FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

[0001] The Government of the United States of America has rights in thisinvention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present inventive subject matter relates to materials thatare resistant to radiant and convective heat. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a novel emergency fire shelter constructedof the heat and fire resistant materials. The present invention alsorelates to a kit containing an emergency fire shelter that can be quickydeployed in the event of danger from a wildland fire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An emergency fire shelter is a compact, tent-like structureproviding emergency protection to a firefighter trapped by a rapidlyadvancing forest fire. The fire shelter is constructed of materials thatare resistant to radiant and convective heat. An example of such amaterial is a heat-reflecting foil bonded to the outside of a fiberglasscloth. A combination of flexible materials allows the fire shelter to beaccordion folded into a compact brick that can be carried with thefirefighter at all times. Thus, the selection of materials for use inthe construction of an emergency fire shelter is critical to itseffectiveness.

[0004] Several layered materials are designed to provide a shield from avariety of environmental hazards including heat and fire. However, thereis a need for an improved light, flexible, and strong material whichprovides protection from radiant and convective heat. Such a materialwould not only be used in construction of emergency fire shelters, butcould also be used as a shield against fire and heat in other settingsincluding, for instance, fire barriers, heat shields, fire proofcurtains and the like.

[0005] Emergency fire shelters in use today share the same form as a puptent, triangular in shape. Such a design is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No.5,921,388 to Petrilli et. al. A problem with emergency fire shelterscurrently used is that they have flat, triangular ends that areperpendicular to the ground and reflect radiant energy. Reflection ofthis energy to the ground immediately adjacent to the fire shelterincreases the likelihood that fire will start adjacent to the shelter,thus allowing damage to the fire shelter prior to the arrival of theflame front. Accordingly, there is a need for an emergency fire shelterdesign that minimizes such heat transfer. More information on prior artfire shelters and their use is contained in “Your Fire Shelter” and“Your Fire Shelter, Beyond the Basics” published by the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Technology and DevelopmentProgram, under Codes NFES 1750 and 2179, hereby incorporated byreference.

[0006] An emergency fire shelter is inevitably deployed under emergencysituations and time is frequently of the essence. Ideal deployment is inan area removed from large amounts of combustible material. For thisreason, the initial stages of deployment may occur while the firefighteris running to a safe deployment area. When using many of the prior artfire shelters, the removal of the fire shelter from its carrying casemay be hampered by the firefighter's dropping of his or her backpack toobtain greater mobility and to jettison dangerous combustible materialssuch as fusees.

[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an emergency fire shelterthat is easier and faster to deploy. Such a shelter would require easeof transport by fire fighters and protection during prolonged periods ofstorage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0008] Various layered materials are designed to provide a shield from avariety of environmental hazards such as heat and fire. The designs varydepending on the application for which the material is to be used. Thesedesigns include fabrics as well as composite designs.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,805 discloses a fire, heat and backdraftprotection system for protecting firefighters in all types of fires. Theprotection system includes a composite laminate structure having aplurality of layers for the protection of firefighters who are exposedto high temperatures of 2200 degrees Farenheight for 30 minutes induration. The plurality of layers includes an outer first layer, aninner second layer and an inner third layer. The outer first layer is afiberglass textile having an intumescent coating resistant to heat,water and impact. The inner second layer is a metal foil layer forreflecting heat and eliminates the convection transfer of heat. Theinner third layer is a low conductivity refractory blanket for reducingthe transmission of heat. The inner fourth layer is a metal foil layerfor reflecting heat and eliminates the convection transfer of heat.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,319 discloses a flexible fire barrier feltthat includes an organic polymeric binder; a phosphorus-containingcompound; organic fibers with pendant hydroxyl groups; and a heatabsorbing compound. The flexible fire barrier felt is comprised of atleast 10 wt-% of an organic polymeric binder; at least about 5 wt-% oforganic fibers having pendant hydroxyl groups; and at least about 10wt-% of a heat absorbing compound; wherein the felt contains at leastabout 0.3 wt-% phosphorus, as provided by a phosphorus-containingcompound; and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total dryweight of the felt.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,926 discloses a flexible fire and heatresistant material comprising an intimate mixture of organic intumescentfiller and organic fibers adapted to char intensely within thetemperature range of 200° C. to 500° C. The added presence of inorganicfiber components enhances the structural integrity of this structureboth during char formation up to 500° C. and at higher temperatures upto 1200° C. once char oxidation takes place.

[0012] Some fire shelters and tents presently being used have generallyrounded features. Examples of tents found in the prior art as listedbelow.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,926 discloses a tent with a fabric layer overone or more arch poles, wherein said pole or poles is tensionable bymeans of tensioning members connected between upper and lower points ofeach said pole. More particularly, the tent is comprised of a fabriclayer over one or more flexible resilient poles having opposed poleends, each pole being arched and defined within a respective generallyvertical plane. The tent has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicularto the plane of the poles, each pole being oriented such that the poleends define lower points and a region of the pole intermediate the poleends defines an upper point. A pair of tensioning members connected tothe poles, each tensioning member having opposed ends connected at oneend to the upper point of the pole and at the other tensioning memberend to one or the other of the lower points of the pole to be in thesame plane as the pole. The tensioning member is positioned within thetent and distortion of pole shape laterally to the longitudinal axis ofthe tent is resisted.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,757 discloses a double walled tent supportedby outwardly leaning pairs of arches and an interconnecting flexibleridge member. The ridge member is associated with the outer wall orcover, so that the outer wall may be tensioned to form the shelter. Aninner wall or cover is suspended from the outer wall by netted webbingwhich allows circulation between the walls.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,096 discloses a tent comprised of outernonporous and inner porous layers disposed in spaced relation to eachother, with a continuous air passageway there between. Compression tentsupporting means comprises a plurality of demountable, substantially,semicircular rods, preferably formed of fiber glass, forming archedrafters, and of a plurality of relatively short pieces slidablyinterconnected to form two rod units. These two rod units areinterconnected by a sleeve, slidably mounted on one unit, to slidablyreceive the end portion of the other. The arched rafters are spacedapart and aligned substantially parallel to each other and progressivelydecrease in diameter in a tent longitudinal direction. An inner tentlayer is suspendedly supported by an outer layer by porous nettingstrips. At the end portions, nonporous, substantially semiannular shapedend members are provided which extend radially inwardly and angularlybetween the inner and outer tent layers. At the end portions, the outertent layer is under tension by opposite, outwardly directed forces. Allof the forces holding the tent in place are tension forces except forcesacting through the tent rod units which are compression forces. All heatgenerated within the tent, such as that formed by human breathing or bythe burning of a candle, rises upwardly in the tent and passes throughthe inner tent layer, thence longitudinally through the passagewaybetween the inner and outer tent layers and thereafter out through thetent end portions by way of breather passageways disposed in endportions of the tent.

[0016] As discussed previously, it is important that an emergency fireshelter have ease of transport by fire fighters and be protected duringprolonged periods of storage. Further, it is desirable that the shelteris fast and easy to deploy. Numerous patents disclose rapidly deployabledevices such as belt packs and the like.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,388 discloses a rapidly deployable fireshelter that employs a flexible web handle attached directly to aprotective pouch holding the folded fire shelter. The handle includesopposed fastener surfaces that may be interposed between the closurenormally holding the cover to the protective pouch. The handle extendsoutside the pouch to be grasped by the firefighter and pulled so as in asingle motion to release the cover from the pouch and extract the fireshelter without loss of control of the fire shelter.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,955 discloses a device for providing agripping aid for the tandem passenger of a vehicle is described. Thedevice includes a harness worn by the operator of the vehicle. Theharness is secured around the upper region of the operator's torso, andthe gripping handles are attached to the harness such that the passengercan be positioned closer to the operator while comfortably gripping thehandles. An adjustable, quick release clasp allows the operator toquickly put on, remove, and adjust the harness.

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,973 discloses a low profile backpack systemwhich includes a mechanism for allowing free movement of the shoulderstraps as the wearer moves, bends, twists from side to side, etc. Theinventive mechanism comprises a buckle having a pair of transverseelongated slots. The buckle is fixed to the top of the pack by means ofa single vertically oriented strap which passes through the lower of thetwo slots. A second strap passes through the upper slot and has its endsfixed to an end of each of two shoulder straps adapted to fit over theshoulders of the wearer. A additional feature is the provision of aquick release fire shelter on the pack which may be deployed by onehand. The shelter is stored in a rectangularly shaped pouch dependingfrom the bottom of the pack. An open end of the pouch is selectivelyclosed by a flap secured by Velcro fasteners. Pulling a release strapdepending from the pouch first disengages the fasteners. Further pullingof the release strap causes the folded safety tent to be ejected from aplastic housing in which it is stored within the pouch.

[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,252 discloses a quickly inflatable survivaldevice for skiers comprising a protective and buoyant plurality ofconcentric spheres made of flexibly impervious material which is storeduninflated around the waist in a belt pack using a detachable belt, andcovered with a detachable flexible cover. To activate when needed, aninflation pull ring connected to a pressure vessel and valve is manuallypulled to release a pressurized gas into the chambers between the innersphere wall and the outer sphere wall, the sphere walls being limited inseparation by the use of wall partition segments having aircommunications openings to allow free air flow throughout the chambers.Immediately after pulling the inflation ring, the person crouches downand the sphere is very quickly and forcefully expanded, detaching thecover, to its inflated spherical configuration and totally encloses theperson, providing protection and buoyancy in snow avalancheenvironments. Deflation is accomplished using the pressure relief valve,then either exit enclosure is opened using the fabric handles and theoccupant releases the belt and steps out of the device.

[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,797 discloses a backpack for use in carryinghose, such as fire hose, to locations where it is needed. The backpackincludes a rigid metallic frame having at one end a hose support shelfon which at least two spirally coiled rolls of fire hose may be carried.Quickly engageable and releasable straps are provided to bind the coilsof fire hose to the back frame, and shoulder straps and a waist strapare provided to suspend the backpack on the back of the wearer. All thatis required of the wearer to release and deploy one or more coils ofhose from the backpack is to tug on one end of a flexible cable, withthe result that the quick-release straps that bind the coils to theframe are released, thus enabling the coils of hose to be deployed by amere shrug of the shoulders.

[0022] However, there remains a need for a material that is resistant toradiant and convective heat. Further, there is a need for an improvedemergency fire shelter design that improves the volume to surface arearatio and can be used in a kit by firefighters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A first embodiment of the invention is a flexible, layeredmaterial resistant to radiant and convective heat comprising: at leasttwo aluminum foil layers, at least one silica based cloth layer, and atleast one fiberglass cloth layer; wherein the layers are sewn togetheror bonded with adhesive; wherein a first aluminum foil layer is anoutermost layer that faces the radiant and convective heat; and whereinall adhesives are contained between said first aluminum foil layer andsaid second aluminum foil layer.

[0024] Another embodiment of the claimed invention is an emergency fireshelter comprising: a floor and a canopy connected thereto, wherein saidfloor is oval in shape and has an opening therein; wherein said canopyis semi-capsular in shape; and wherein said floor and canopy areconstructed of a material that is heat and fire resistant.

[0025] Another embodiment of the claimed invention is a fire shelterstorage system allowing rapid deployment comprising: an emergency fireshelter comprising a floor and a canopy connected thereto, wherein saidfloor is oval in shape and has an opening therein; wherein said canopyis semi-capsular in shape; and wherein said floor and canopy areconstructed of a material that is heat and fire resistant; an outerprotective pouch sized to receive the emergency fire shelter unitthrough an open end of the pouch, the pouch further including a coverdetachably covering the open end as retained by a releasable fastenerattaching a portion of the cover to a portion of the pouch; and a handlehaving one end attached to the emergency fire shelter unit and sized sothat when the fire shelter unit is received within the pouch and thecover is in place over the opening, the handle may extend out of thepouch adjacent to the releasable fastener to present an exposed end to auser; whereby the emergency fire shelter may be removed from the pouchby applying a force to the handle to release the releasable fastener andextract the fire shelter unit from the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a flexible,layered material resistant to radiant and convective heat;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view in cut away of a deployed emergencyfire shelter;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a deployed emergency fireshelter;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a deployed emergency fireshelter;

[0030]FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a deployed emergency fireshelter;

[0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective pouch having anattached cover and holding an emergency fire shelter, the lattercontained in a protective vinyl bag having an attached extraction handleper the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section taken along line 2-2 of FIG.1 showing the pouch of FIG. 1 when closed, prior to deployment, andshowing the interfitting of the handle between fasteners of the pouchand cover to engage those surfaces so as to hold the cover closed and toretain the fire shelter in the pouch;

[0033]FIG. 8 is a figure similar to that of FIG. 2 showing a pullingoutward of the handle during initial stages of deployment of the fireshelter so as to release the cover from the front edge of the pouch,extracting the fire shelter prior to release of the handle from thecover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] The preferred embodiment of the subject invention will now bedisclosed in detail in conjunction with the figures, wherein like partsare designated by like reference numerals, throughout the several views.While the present inventive fire and heat resistant material isapplicable for use in a variety of settings, a preferred embodiment,discussed below, is an emergency fire shelter. More particularly, one ofthe preferred embodiments is a fire shelter storage system that may bequickly deployed and which contains an emergency fire shelterconstructed of the inventive fire and heat resistant material.

[0035] In general the inventive material is a flexible, layered materialresistant to radiant and convective heat. There must be at least fourlayers in the inventive material with at least two layers being aluminumfoil layers, at least one layer a silica based cloth layer, and at leastone layer being a fiberglass cloth layer. The number of each type oflayer and the positioning of layers may be varied depending upon theapplication is which the layered material is to be used. However, theinventive layered material must have the following features.

[0036] A first aluminum foil layer is disposed as an outermost layernear a source of radiant and convective heat. The first aluminum foillayer reflects radiant energy. This prevents much of the radiant heatfrom passing into the layered material below.

[0037] Each layer is either sewn to adjoining layers or is bonded toadjoining layers with adhesive. A second aluminum foil layer ispositioned such that any adhesive used to bind layers together arelocated between the first and second aluminum foil layers. Sandwichingall adhesives between the first and second aluminum foil layers preventsgases that may be produced by the heating of adhesives from escapingfrom the layered material on the side opposite of the radiant andconvective heat source. The innermost layer must be non-emitting forthermal radiation. The first and second aluminum foil layers may not bepositioned next to one another. Additional aluminum foil layers,however, may be disposed throughout the inventive material.

[0038] At least one silica based cloth layer and at least one fiberglasscloth layer must be disposed within the inventive material. The wovensilica based cloth layer(s) prevent much of the convective heat frompassing through the inventive material while the fiberglass layer(s)provide strength. Additional silica cloth layers and fiberglass layersmay be disposed throughout the inventive material.

[0039] In use, fire and heat resistant materials operate under twoscenarios, no hot gas contact and hot gas contact. The following is anexample of such materials used in a fire shelter where there is no hotgas contact. In this sceanrio, the incident energy (radiation) strikesthe surface of the shelter. Most, approximately 95%, is reflected backto the environment. The remainder is absorbed and results in a heatingof the surface. The temperature of the material (outer aluminum) risesand, because aluminum is a poor radiator, the energy is conductedthrough to the silica cloth and air spaces within the cloth matrix. Someenergy is also lost to the environment (air) because the surrounding airis cooler than the aluminum layer. Silica cloth is a much betterradiator so now there are multiple modes of energy transfer in responseto a temperature difference between the back side of the aluminum (hot)and the air layer between the inner and outer laminate layers. Energy istransferred across the air space to the inner laminate which in turnrises in temperature. Because the inner layer is now warmer than theinterior air in the shelter energy is transferred through the innerlayer and the interior aluminum surface becomes warmer. Because it is avery poor radiator, the inner aluminum layer transfers energy to the airinside the shelter via convection.

[0040] In contrast, these materials used in a fire shelter where thereis hot gas contact (or flame contact), the reflective properties of theouter aluminum layer don't matter as much because the dominant energytransfer mode is convection. Outer layer gets hot and the remainingmechanisms are as with the case above. Things happen much more quicklybecause the outer layer is now immersed in a hot gas and can only gainenergy from the gas. In hot gas contact scenarios, the energy flow isone way, towards the interior.

[0041] A preferred embodiment of the inventive layered material isillustrated in FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 1, inventive layeredmaterial 2 is comprised of an outer shell 4 and an inner shell 6. Outershell 4 is constructed of a first aluminum foil layer 8 and a wovensilica cloth based layer 10 and is disposed nearest to a fire and/orheat source 12. First aluminum foil layer 8 serves to reflect radiantheat generated by fire and/or heat source 12. First aluminum foil layer8 is between 0.5 to 2.0 mil in thickness, preferably between 0.8 to 1.2mil, most preferably approximately 1.0 mil in thickness.

[0042] First aluminum foil layer 8 is laminated with an adhesive 16 towoven silica based cloth layer 10. Woven silica based cloth layer 10prevents much of the convective heat from passing through the inventivematerial. Woven silica based cloth layer 10 is 6 to 13 oz. cloth,preferably 8 to 12 oz. cloth, most preferable 10 oz. cloth (Althoughoften 10 oz. cloth may weigh in the range of 9 to 11 oz.). Woven silicacloth layer 10 can be obtained through Hi Tech Products, Inc. inDelaware.

[0043] Adhesive 16 used to bind layers of outer shell 4 is preferably ahigh temperature, non-toxic glue. If material 2 is to be used in theconstruction of an emergency fire shelter, then Adhesive 16 must be ahigh temperature, non-toxic glue. The preferred adhesive 16 is a hightemperature, non-toxic glue proprietary to Cleveland Laminating, Corp.of Cleveland, Ohio.

[0044] Inner shell 6 is comprised of a fiberglass cloth layer 18 and asecond aluminum foil layer 20. Maximum flexibility, strength and a lowweight is desired when selecting fiberglass cloth layer 18. Style number1080-D fiberglass cloth, available commercially, obtained throughCleveland Laminating, Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio is preferred forfiberglass cloth layer 18. Second aluminum foil layer 20 is laminatedwith an adhesive 16 to fiberglass cloth layer 18. Again, a hightemperature, non-toxic glue as discussed above is preferred.

[0045] Second aluminum foil layer 20 serves to minimize re-radiation ofheat that passes through other layers of material 2. Further, secondaluminum foil layer 20 is an innermost layer of material 2 so that anygases produced by the heating of adhesives or other substance (i.e.starches or sizing) are prevented from escaping from material 2 on theside opposite of the fire and/or heat source 12. Second aluminum foillayer 20 is between 0.5 to 2.0 mil in thickness, preferably between 0.5to 0.8 mil, most preferably approximately 0.65 mil in thickness.

[0046] Outer shell 4 and inner shell 6 are sewn together at seam 24 suchthat an air gap 26 is created between outer shell 4 and inner shell. Airgap 26 creates additional insulation which further retards the passageof heat toward the inside of material 2.

[0047] The “pup tent” style emergency fire shelters currently in usehave flat, triangular ends that are substantially perpendicular to theground when the shelter is in use. These ends reflect radiant energy tothe ground immediately adjacent to the fire shelter and increase thelikelihood that fuel in close proximity to the shelter will be ignited.Fires immediately adjacent to the shelter might damage the shelter priorto the arrival of the flame front. The rounded ends of the inventivefire shelter illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 forces much of the radiant heat tobe dispersed instead of heating the ground adjacent to the shelter.

[0048] The “pup tent” style emergency fire shelters also have a largesurface area to volume ratio. This allows more radiant heat to transferto the material and then into the fire shelter. The inventive fireshelter has a smaller surface area to volume ratio which reduces theamount of heat transfer to the inside of the inventive fire shelter.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 2, fire shelter 102 is semi-capsular inshape. A fire shelter canopy 103 of fire shelter 102 is made up of amain body 104 and with two shelter ends 106 attached at both ends ofmain body 104. Main body 104 is shaped like a half cylinder while twoshelter ends 106 are shaped like ¼ spheres. Main body 104 and shelterends 106 are sewn together along end seams 107. In the preferredembodiment, main body 104 is constructed of two pieces sewn together atmid-point seam 114. Structural seams 112 are seams where fabric of mainbody 104 is folded over and sewn. Structural seams 112, end seams 107and mid-point seam 114 limit damage to other areas of fire shelter 102in the event that one section sustains damage. Shelter end seams 113allow for shaping of shelter ends 106.

[0050] A floor 118 is sewn to main body 104 at perimeter seam 110 whichextends around perimeter of fire shelter 102. Seam tape 109 is disposedaround the entire perimeter of fire shelter 102 and is affixed byperimeter seam 110. In FIG. 2, seam tape 109 is not shown on a portionof the perimeter of fire shelter 102 in order to allow a better view ofthe intersection of perimeter seam 110 with structural seams 112, endseams 107 and mid-point seam 114 intersect. Floor 118 is shaped like anoval with a hole 120 disposed therein. Hole 120 is preferablyrectangular in shape and is used by a firefighter to gain access to fireshelter 102. More particularly, hole 120 is approximately eight inchesin width and fifty-eight inches in length. This affords a firefightereasy access to fire shelter 102 while using their body (not shown) onceinside to weigh down fire shelter 102. Handles 116 are sewn intoperimeter seam 110 to aid a firefighter in deploying fire shelter 102.One of handles 116 is marked to a right hand while a second is markedfor a left hand. This ensures that a firefighter deploys fire shelter102 with hole 120 close to (or facing) the firefighter for quickerentry.

[0051] In use, a firefighter deploys fire shelter 102 using handles 116.A firefighter then enters fire shelter 102 through hole 120. Because theperimeter of a firefighter's body is greater that the perimeter of hole120, the firefighters body secures fire shelter 102 to the ground. Inaddition, the firefighter would slip his or her arms through straps 123up to the elbow to positively hold the shelter down. Fire shelter 102 ispreferably constructed of a fire and heat resistant material. Morepreferably, fire shelter 102 is constructed of material 2 describedabove.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 3, a view of floor 118 from under fireshelter 102, floor 118 is made up of various floor pieces 124 that aresewn together at floor seams 122. Floor 118 has a hole 120 that ispreferably rectangular in shape and is used by a firefighter to gainaccess to fire shelter 102. More particularly, hole 120 is approximatelyeight inches in width and fifty-eight inches in length. Floor 118 issewn to canopy 103 at seam 110 which is also used to attach handles 116to fire shelter 102. Floor 118 is constructed of a silica based clothlaminated on each side with an aluminum foil layer. The aluminum foillayer are between 0.5 to 2.0 mil in thickness, preferably between 0.5 to0.8 mil, most preferably approximately 0.65 mil in thickness. Silicabased cloth layer is 5 to 13 oz. cloth, most preferable 6.5 oz. cloth.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, canopy 103 of fire shelter 102 ismade up of a main body 104 and two shelter ends 106. Main body 104 andshelter ends 106 are sewn together along end seams 107. In the preferredembodiment, main body 104 is constructed of two pieces sewn together atmid-point seam 114. Structural seams 112 are seams where fabric of mainbody 104 is folded over and sewn. Structural seams 112, end seams 107and mid-point seam 114 limit damage to other areas of fire shelter 102in the event that one section sustains damage. Shelter end seams 113allow for shaping of shelter ends 106. In FIG. 5 only, canopy 103 issewn to floor 118 (not shown) at perimeter seam 110.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 6, a fire shelter assembly 210 includes anouter pouch 212 constructed of nylon duck or the like to provide agenerally rectangular volume having an open end 214. A rigid plasticsleeve 216 fits within the pouch 212 so as to support the pouch 212against a crushing of its contents. Fitting within the sleeve 216 is thevinyl bag 218 holding within it the fire shelter 102.

[0055] As is understood in the art, the vinyl bag 218 includes pull tabs222 which may be grasped by the firefighter to rip open the vinyl bag218 after it is removed from the pouch 212 to thereby free the fireshelter 102. The upper edge of the vinyl bag 218 is heat-sealed toprevent moisture and other contaminants from contacting the containedfire shelter 102 and produce a lip 224 to which one end of a nylon web226 may be sewn. Sewing the nylon web 226 to the lip 224 provides abroad-area attachment between the nylon web 226 and the vinyl bag 218 tominimize the chance of a tearing of the vinyl bag 218 from force appliedby the nylon web 226. The vinyl bag 218 is placed in the pouch 212 withthe lip 224 extending from the open end 214.

[0056] A cover 228 constructed of the same material as the pouch 212 issewn along a rear hinging edge to the rear edge of the open end 214 ofthe pouch 212 so as to move freely between an open position (shown inFIG. 6) and a closed position (shown in FIG. 7) where a front lip 230 ofthe cover 228 passes over a front edge 232 of the pouch 212. Sewn to aninner surface of the front lip 230 of the cover 228 is hook material 234such as forms part of a hook-and-loop fabric fastener such as sold underthe trade name of Velcro. Corresponding loop material 236 is sewn to theouter surface of the front edge 232 of the pouch 212.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the nylon web 226 extends upwardfrom the lip 224 of the vinyl bag 218, as contained in the pouch 212,and may be folded forward and then downward to pass over the front edge232 of the pouch 212. At that point of crossing, hook material 238 maybe attached to the nylon web 226 immediately adjacent to the loopmaterial 236 so as to fasten the nylon web 226 releasably against thefront edge 232 of the pouch 212.

[0058] The cover 228 may then be closed as shown in FIG. 7 so that thefront lip 230 lies over top of the front edge 232 of the pouch 212,sandwiching the nylon web 226 there between. To the portion of the nylonweb 226 adjacent to the hook material 234 on the cover 228 is sewn loopmaterial 240 so as to engage the hook material 234 on the cover 228 andto hold the cover 228 in a closed position via the interconnection ofthe nylon web 226 with the pouch 212. A handle portion 242 of the nylonweb 226 may extend beyond the cover 228 to the outside of the pouch 212,permitting a firefighter to grasp the nylon web 226 at the handleportion 242 by sliding a hand (not shown) along the front of the pouch212.

[0059] Referring still to FIG. 7, one or more belt or backpack hangers244 may be attached to the rear side of the pouch 212 according tomethods well known in the art, to suspend the pouch 212 from a belt orbackpack.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 8, the handle portion 242 may be pulledaway from the front edge 232 of the pouch 212 and outward toward theopen end 214 of the pouch 212 so as to release the loop material 236 onthe pouch 212, and forming half of a releasable connector from the hookmaterial 238 on the nylon web 226, thereby opening cover 228 as shown inFIG. 8. Further outward motion of the handle portion 242 detaches loopmaterial 240 attached to nylon web 226 from hook material 234 attachedto the front lip 230 of the cover 228, wholly releasing the nylon web226 from the cover 228 and pouch 212. Further outward motion completelyextracts the vinyl bag 218 from the pouch 212 while maintaining the fireshelter 102 in control of the firefighter via the handle portion 242.

[0061] The web 226 and/or handle portion 242 may then be used as onepoint of purchase for the gripping and tearing away of pull tabs 222 atthe site of deployment. At this time, the backpack holding the pouch 212will have been abandoned and a second hand will be available.

[0062] Referring still to FIG. 8, in actual use, the fire shelter 102does not come out of the sleeve 216 until hook material 234 and loopmaterial 240 release, but is shown lifted from the sleeve 216 forclarity.

[0063] In the closed configuration of FIG. 7, prior to deployment, itwill be understood that the vinyl bag 218 holding the fire shelter 102is secured by two paths of contact to the firefighter, either directlyto the pouch 212 (attached to the firefighter by belt loops or via thefirefighter's backpack) or to the pouch 212 via the cover 228.Generally, the forces on the fire shelter 102 against the cover 228during normal activity of the firefighter will act on the materials 234,240, 238 and 236, in a shearing direction, against which such fastenersare strongest. In contrast, outward motion as indicated in FIG. 7 of thehandle portion 242 peels away loop material 236 from hook material 238in a manner requiring less force. Thus accidental deployment of the fireshelter 102 is reduced. The possibility of accidental opening of thecover 228 by handle portion 242 catching on brush or the like is furtherreduced by the smooth end of handle portion 242, which may be a rolledseam and the flexibility of the handle portion 242.

[0064] Further, should the cover 228 be accidentally opened, the fireshelter 102 will retain, for a period of time, its connection with thecover 228 through hook and loop materials 234 and 240, increasing thechance that such an accidental deployment will be detected and reducingthe chance that the fire shelter 102 will simply fall out on the groundunnoticed.

[0065] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A flexible, layered material resistant to radiant andconvective heat comprising: at least two aluminum foil layers, at leastone silica based cloth layer, and at least one fiberglass cloth layer;wherein the layers are sewn together or bonded with adhesive; wherein afirst aluminum foil layer is an outermost layer whose reflective sidefaces the radiant and convective heat; wherein all adhesives arecontained between said first aluminum foil layer and a second aluminumfoil layer.
 2. The layered material of claim 1, wherein said layeredmaterial is comprised an outer shell and an inner shell, wherein saidouter shell containing said first aluminum foil layer which is disposednearest to the radiant and convective heat; and said inner shellcontains said second aluminum foil layer.
 3. The layered material ofclaim 2, wherein said outer shell is comprised of said first aluminumfoil layer laminated to said at least one silica based cloth layer;wherein said inner layer is comprised of said second aluminum foil layerand said fiberglass cloth layer sewn together or bound with adhesive;and wherein said inner and outer shells are sewn together.
 4. Thelayered material of claim 3, wherein said first aluminum foil layer andsaid second aluminum foil layer are 0.5 to 2.0 mils in thickness andsaid silica based cloth layer is 6 to 13 ounce cloth.
 5. The layeredmaterial of claim 4, wherein said first aluminum foil layer is 0.8 to1.2 mils in thickness, said second aluminum foil layer is 0.5 to 0.8mils in thickness and said at least one silica based cloth is 9 to 11ounce cloth.
 6. The layered material of claim 5, wherein said firstaluminum foil layer is about 1.0 mil in thickness, said second aluminumfoil layer is about 0.65 mil in thickness and said woven silica cloth is10 ounce cloth.
 7. An emergency fire shelter comprising: a floor and acanopy connected thereto, wherein said floor is oval in shape and has anopening therein; wherein said canopy is semi-capsular in shape; andwherein said floor and canopy are constructed of a material that is heatand fire resistant.
 8. The emergency fire shelter of claim 8, whereinsaid material is comprised of at least two layers.
 9. The emergency fireshelter of claim 8, wherein said material has at least two aluminum foillayers, at least one silica based cloth layer, and at least onefiberglass cloth layer; wherein the layers are sewn together or bondedwith adhesive; wherein a first aluminum foil layer is an outermost layerwhich faces the radiant and convective heat; and wherein all adhesivesare contained between said first aluminum foil layer and said secondaluminum foil layer.
 10. The emergency fire shelter of claim 9, whereinsaid material is comprised of an outer shell and an inner shell, whereinsaid outer shell containing said first aluminum foil layer which isdisposed nearest to the heat, and said inner shell containing saidsecond aluminum foil layer.
 11. The emergency fire shelter of claim 10,wherein said outer shell is comprised of said first aluminum foil layerlaminated to said silica based cloth; wherein said inner layer iscomprised of said second aluminum foil layer and said fiberglass clothlayer sewn together or bound with adhesive; and wherein said inner andouter layers are sewn together.
 12. The emergency fire shelter of claim11, wherein said first aluminum foil layer and said second aluminum foillayer are 0.5 to 2.0 mils in thickness and said silica based cloth is 6to 13 ounce cloth.
 13. The emergency fire shelter of claim 9, whereinsaid first aluminum foil layer is 0.8 to 1.2 mils in thickness, saidsecond aluminum foil layer is 0.5 to 0.8 mils in thickness and saidsilica based cloth is 9 to 11 ounce cloth.
 14. The emergency fireshelter of claim 9, wherein said first aluminum foil layer isapproximately 1.0 mil in thickness, said second aluminum foil layer isapproximately 0.65 mil in thickness and said silica based cloth is 10ounce cloth.
 15. A fire shelter storage system allowing rapid deploymentcomprising: an emergency fire shelter comprising a floor and a canopyconnected thereto, wherein said floor is oval in shape and has anopening therein; wherein said canopy is semi-capsular in shape; andwherein said floor and canopy are constructed of a material that is heatand fire resistant; an outer protective pouch sized to receive theemergency fire shelter unit through an open end of the pouch, the pouchfurther including a cover detachably covering the open end and retainedby a releasable fastener attaching a portion of the cover to a portionof the pouch; and a handle having one end attached to the emergency fireshelter unit and sized so that when the fire shelter unit is receivedwithin the pouch and the cover is in place over the opening, the handlemay extend out of the pouch adjacent to the releasable fastener topresent an exposed end to a user; whereby the emergency fire shelter isremoved from the pouch by applying a force to the handle to release thereleasable fastener and extract the fire shelter unit from the pouch.16. The fire shelter storage system of claim 15, wherein the emergencyfire shelter unit is a folded and sealed in a protective envelope andwherein the handle is attached to the protective envelope to be separatefrom the emergency fire shelter.
 17. The fire shelter storage system ofclaim 15, wherein the handle is a flexible strap.
 18. The fire shelterstorage system of claim 15, wherein the releasable fastener includesfirst fastener halves attached to the pouch and cover and wherein thehandle includes second fastener halves whereby the handle may beinterposed between the releasable fastener with the first fastener halfof the pouch releasably attached to a second fastener half of the handleand the remaining second fastener half of the handle releasably attachedto the first fastener half of the cover.
 19. The fire shelter storagesystem of claim 15, wherein the releasable fastener is a fabric hook andloop fastener.
 20. The fire shelter storage system of claim 15, whereinthe fire shelter unit includes a secondary rigid protective sleeveholding a folded emergency fire shelter unit sealed in a protectiveenvelope.